During the Spring Term, 2024, Carcroft Change Makers worked collaboratively to develop the ‘Carcroft Pledge’. We can’t wait to share this with whole school during our Summer Term!
Category : Personal Development
Personal Development
Online Safety
Our pupils are growing up in a world of ever-changing technology. While we feel that the use of technology is a largely positive aspect of modern life, we cannot ignore the risks that can be associated.
Throughout school we aim to teach children:
- about the impact of cyber-bullying and what to do if they have been affected.
- to be vigilant when communicating online recognising that people may not always be who they say they are and to be sensible about what they share.
- to tell an adult they trust if something is upsetting them.
- to question the reliability of information given through a web based source.
- to search responsibly for information while using internet browsers.
We understand that much of our pupil’s use of the internet will occur at home, away from the school filters.
Below are a list of useful websites, advice and resources that you may find helpful when navigating the issue of online safety with your child. At the bottom of this page are resources that your child can directly access as well to help them learn about online safety.
Useful resources and links
Thinkuknow http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Thinkuknow is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command. Since 2006, it aims to ensure that everyone has access to this practical information – children, young people, their parents and carers and the professionals who work with them.
Internet Matters https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/esafety-leaflets-resources/
A comprehensive web resource with a wide array of tips and advice on how to navigate the online world with your child. Some of their guidance we attach below but you can find even more by visiting the link.
National Online Safety https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/
National Online Safety’s mission is to make the internet a safer place for children. They aim to do this by equipping school staff, parents and children with the knowledge they need to understand online dangers and how best to react should an incident arise. The link above provides up to date information about a wide variety of social media apps and platforms your child might be using.
NSPCC http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/share-aware/
The NSPCC are the first to admit that the internet is amazing. Children can play, learn, create and connect – opening up a whole world of exciting possibilities. But with the digital world changing all the time, how can you make sure your child’s staying safe? That’s where the NSPCC come in. Whether you’re an online expert or you’re not sure where to start, their tools and advice will help you keep your child safe.
Childnet http://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers
Childnet International is a registered UK charity that aims to make the internet a safe place for children and young people. Packed with resources it is a great resource for parents.
CEOP http://ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) is part of the National Crime Agency and their website can be used to report if you are worried about online abuse or the way someone is communicating online.
BBC https://www.bbc.com/ownit
The BBC have a website and app called Own It. The website has a lot of content for children to help them navigate their online lives, and the free smartphone app comes with a special keyboard which can intervene with help and support in the moments that children need it the most.
SafetoNet https://safetonet.com/
SafeToNet is technology that educates children “in-the-moment” as they use their device. It is a safeguarding assistant that helps them become responsible and safe digital citizens. Its power lies in a smart keyboard that detects risks in real-time. It steers children away from trouble by filtering harmful outgoing messages before they can be sent and any damage can be done.
A guide to Apps & Social Media
The number of apps and social media channels your child could be exposed to grow all the time, as does an app’s functionality. We recommend you visit Net Aware to read the latest and most current advice on over 70 apps to ensure you know what they do, how you can limit their features as well as recommended age restrictions.
The apps included are:
- Fortnite
- Snapchat
- YouTube
- Minecraft
- Clash of Clans & Clash Royale
- Kik
- Friv
- Dubsmash
- Wink
- YOLO
- TikTok
- And many, many more
Resources for children to use
Below are some links that children themselves can access for help when navigating the tricky subject of online safety,
Reception – Year 2
Below are a number of links that are tailored for children in the younger year groups.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/5_7/
https://www.netsmartzkids.org/
https://www.childnet.com/resources/smartie-the-penguin
Year 3 – Year 6
Below are links more suitable for older children.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/8_10/
https://www.nsteens.org/
Personal Development
Y6 got the opportunity to apply for a position that was advertised: Carcroft Tuck Shop Coordinator. The children were taught how to apply for a job, relating it to the real world, using the job description to help fill in individual application forms. The well deserved 3 children were successful and application forms have been saved for the next coordinators in March. Watch this space for the Carcroft Tuck Shop to have its grand opening next year!
Scotties fun!
In our latest Scotties session we got to toast marshmallows around the campfire and have a Nerf war! Lots of smiles all around!
Christmas singing at China Cottage
I had the pleasure of taking Crew Elmer to our local care home China Cottage to sing a number of Christmas songs for their residents. It was a really lovely morning and the children made me very proud. They have worked so hard on practising the songs and they sang so beautifully. The residents joined in and it brought a smile to every face in the room. The children were then treated to a little gift that had been wrapped by the residents themselves, handed out by Santa and his elf. Thank you so much to the team at China Cottage for allowing us to come and spread some Christmas joy, and for all their hard work looking after the wonderful residents in their care. Wishing everyone at China Cottage a very merry Christmas!
Brunch with Santa
This afternoon, Crew McGlone had brunch with a very special guest – Santa! He brought along his reindeer Rudolph and his cheeky elf sidekick!
Rock, paper, scissors
Our crew challenge was to play rock, paper, scissors in small groups and compete against each other. Children used a tally to keep track of who won each game so they could then compete against the winner. It was great seeing everyone get involved and show good sportsmanship if they didn’t win.
Wow! What a performance!
It was pleasure to be able to watch the Cheerleading and Acro performance on Thursday afternoon. The children from KS1 and KS2 performed the dances they have been learning during this term in lunchtime clubs.
The performance oozed confidence and the high quality learning that has taken place during these clubs. It was great to see children from previous years perform but also lots of new faces. A massive well done to all involved. They should be very proud of themselves.
Scotty’s Heroes
Crew Hamill were very lucky on Friday and were able to take part in an extra Scotty’s session which focused on survival skills. We carefully followed instructions to use a flint and steel to create fire! We began by learning how to use the flint and steel properly to create sparks and then used this to set a piece of cotton wool on fire. Once we’d mastered this skill, we added some vaseline to our cotton wool balls and set them alight again. This time, they burned for longer and create a flame! We had SO much fun!
Paddington and the grand tour
In expedition, we read ‘Paddington and the grand tour’ and talked about how Paddington was excited to visit lots of landmarks in London on an open top tour bus.
We worked as a crew to create our own open top tour bus, with Hayden as our bus driver! We then took it in turns to sit with our friends in a cafe and shared cakes, just like Paddington did. Finally, we built a beautiful palace, similar to Buckingham Palace which was a stop on the tour bus.
Bullcroft Christmas Light Switch On
A number of our Year 5/6 pupils sang a selection of Christmas carols to celebrate the Christmas lights being switch on at Bullcroft Memorial Hall. It was lovely to hear the children singing so beautifully! A huge thank you to the children who attended – even though it was on a Saturday! And a massive thank you to the grown ups who joined us. Feeling very proud!
Getting our classroom Christmas ready!
On Friday, we had a lovely time decorating our classroom tree.
